Arachne never disappoints. Hard to single out favourites, but my biggest smiles were from 29ac, 31ac and 8dn…
Year: 2014
Financial Times 14597 Phssthpok
(Please click here for this same blog but with a picture quiz added. Please do NOT post hereinbelow any comment relating to the picture quiz. Thank you.) Quite a straightforward puzzle. Thanks to … Read more >>
Financial Times 14597 with Picture Quiz
(Please post comments on ONLY the picture quiz hereinbelow. To post comments on the crossword puzzle, please click here.) Quite a straightforward puzzle. Thanks to Phssthpok. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across … Read more >>
Independent 8580 / Punk
It’s a while since we last blogged a Punk puzzle. We tend to prefer hidden themes rather than the overtly themed puzzle but there was still lots to enjoy. At one point we … Read more >>
Guardian 26,233 – Rufus
Well, we know Rufus has his own style, but with (by my reckoning) 8 cryptic and 8 double definitions I think we can justifiably complain about a lack of clue variety in this … Read more >>
Cyclops 518: Vladdy bizarre
I intended to post this blog yesterday, before I went to Lord’s for the afternoon, but the broadband service went on the blink. And somehow it didn’t get done when I arrived home, … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 752/Provis
A quick look at the archive suggests that this is only Provis’s second appearance, and my first chance to blog him or her. I thought this was a fine Quiptic. Nothing to frighten … Read more >>
Independent 8579/Quixote
Another WYSIWYG puzzle from Quixote. Which is why I keep recommending him to those who are just starting to enter the world of cryptic crosswords. Bit of genealogy, bit of religion, bit of … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,257
It comes to something when Beelzebub is the easiest of the three Independent crosswords one has to blog on a given weekend. Of course, “easy” is the wrong word, but at least I … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,259 by eXternal
Another very challenging puzzle, I thought. Either I drew a very tough weekend to have to blog both Independent prize puzzles, or I’m losing my faculties. There’s a couple left that I can’t … Read more >>
AZED No. 2,183 ‘Eightsome Reels’ COMPETITION PUZZLE
Nick: A nice puzzle from Azed this week, although many of us had a bit of a 16 (the competition word) to get it. As these type of puzzles require a ‘jigsaw like’ locking … Read more >>
Everyman No. 3522 (6th April)
Lorraine: Good morning to one and all. A most enjoyable solve with lots and lots of favourites – 1ac 5ac 11ac 12ac 18ac and 21ac. 3dn 4dn 8dn 16dn 19dn and 22dn. 6dn might … Read more >>
Independent 8,572 by Tyrus (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 05/04/14)
Well, I enjoy a challenge, and Tyrus is a great setter, but this was a pretty hopeless solving experience for me. After several evenings staring in vain at the grid, I’ve six answers … Read more >>
Guardian Prize Puzzle 26,226 by Philistine
An entertaining puzzle which took me a while to figure out what was going on.
Enigmatic Variations No.1115 – Hurry Up by Moordon
HURRY UP, says (new?) solver Moordon. Hang about, I haven’t even started! Will this rush prove rash?